The Curva Sud Ultras will boycott Sunday’s derby with Lazio, as they continue to protest barriers bisecting their area, introduced at the beginning of last season.

“All we can do is keep raising the issue with the authorities as to the need to consider the supporters peacefully returning to the stadium,” Gandini told the Giallorossi’s official website.

“This matter is on the agenda and it's one that is very important to us. We're not having the experience we're used to at the Stadio Olimpico, whereas we have a huge turnout on the road.

“The club supports this request, which comes directly from the players who would like to play in a setting they deserve.”

Gandini also looked ahead to the weekend, and the first Derby della Capitale of the season.

“It doesn't take a genius to say a derby is unlike any other game. I’ve been able to experience many over the course of my career albeit in completely different surroundings.

“It's my first Rome derby and it comes at a very important time of the season, with both sides showing that they are competitive. We're four points off the top and have strung together a good run of results at home.

“We're technically the away team albeit still playing at the Stadio Olimpico so we hope to continue our impressive sequence there.

“It's another step along the road but it has great importance in terms of the city bragging rights, which mean a lot to us. However, obviously it's a finely poised period of the season.

“We are about to embark upon a trio of big, top-level and crucial fixtures - the derby, Milan at home and Juventus away.

“It's important that we're ready to start this run of games in the right way, so we can stay up near the top and compete until the end.”

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